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Crime

Dashcam Captures Ohio Wrong-Way Driver Seconds Before She Kills 3 Sorority Sisters

Mar. 8, 2012 8:32am Jonathon M. Seidl

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A wrong-way interstate driver slammed into a car full of sorority sisters on spring break about one minute after an Ohio trooper received a report about the errant driver, according to dashboard camera video released Wednesday by the State Highway Patrol.

The footage shows the wrong-way driver seconds before the crash that killed the driver and three of the Bowling Green University students on Interstate 75 south of Toledo. The early morning crash on Friday also left two other students in critical condition.

The five Alpha Xi Delta members were in the car as they caravanned with 11 other sisters in separate cars to the Detroit airport for a trip to the Dominican Republic.

Just minutes after the crash, the video records the voice of an unidentified Alpha Xi Delta member, saying: “Sir, what can we do to help? They were with us. Those are our sisters. We were all on spring break.”

“I want you to go, just go stay by the car,” the trooper says. “Stay with the car, please. Go stay up there with the car.”

The video shows the trooper shifting lanes to avoid the car one minute after pulling into northbound traffic to find it.

The crash happens about 10 seconds later, just after the trooper turns around. He makes it to the scene 25 seconds later.

He’s heard saying, “Bowling Green, give me a squad.”

As he begins to investigate, trucks are slowly stopping and pulling around.

Dashcam Video of Ohio Wrong Way Driver | Killed Three Alpha Xi Delta Sorority Sisters

In this March 2, 2012 photo provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the wreckage of vehicles involved in a fatal accident Friday, March 2, 2012 lies strewn in Bowling Green, Ohio. A driver going the wrong way on a highway crashed head-on into a car carrying five sorority sisters, killing four people and leaving two others injured. The sorority sisters' vehicle is seen on left. (AP Photo/Ohio State Highway Patrol)

Lt. Anne Ralston of the Patrol said the trooper was limited by the short amount of time between the call and the crash.

“It didn’t really afford us the opportunity to use any other tactics,” she said. “It really limited what he was able to do.”

She said a goal in such instance is to first locate the threat then try to mitigate it. A number of factors are considered including time of day, amount of traffic, the road conditions, if any other officers are able to help, how easily officers will be able to get the driver to stop and the driver’s condition – such as any medical issue or impairment.

“These types of calls of one-way drivers, especially on the interstate, are very dangerous, obviously, and very unpredictable and there’s really no set rules on how to handle that, just because every incident is so different,” she said.

Killed in the crash were Sarah Hammond, 21, a junior from Yellow Springs, Rebekah Blakkolb, 20, a junior from Aurora and sophomore Christina Goyett, 19, from Bay City, Mich. The wrong-way driver, Winifred Lein, 69, of Perrysburg, was traveling alone and was pronounced dead at the scene.

—

Associated Press Writer JoAnne Viviano contributed to this report.

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Comments (78)

Angelteam02
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 10:21am
Mr. Roadfixer,you are a dumb-ass

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Catherine A.
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:55am
There is a lot of prejudice and insensitivity toward the wrong-way driver here, and only because she was 69 years old. People with no facts beyond that are calling her a “demented old hag,” “out of her mind,” “geezer,” etc. Where is logic? Where is reason? Where is decency and respect? People who would never use a racial slur don’t mind calling someone a geezer.

The truth is that elderly drivers account for a small fraction of serious accidents; many more of them are caused by young people, who as insurance agents can attest, are the worst drivers if rated by accidents and citations.

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dontbotherme
Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:09am
This is so heartbreaking for everyone involved. OH, Lord, when I heard the girls crying, it sucked the breath out of me. I pray for God’s mercy for the families & friends of those killed & injured & for the healing of the two with severe injuries. I also pray for those who witnessed the accident & the Police & EMT’s. They will be haunted with memories for the rest of their lives. God bless them all.

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moneyplays
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:00pm
Just terrible. Gods mercy.

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welovetheUSA
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:49pm
Had that been a steel car……..they would be alive still………….plastic cars are not safe.

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- Wyatt's Torch
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 3:34pm
  Maybe…but then again…
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_ptUrQOMPs
  
  Report this comment
disenlightened
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:45pm
I completely agree with retesting. We took my mother-in-law’s keys and car away at 78 when she casually told us one day she was having a problem with running red lights. Then we packed her things and moved her down to live with us. There’s no telling what would have happened if we’d not done it.

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- Catherine A.
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:36am
  You are jumping to conclusions. This may have had little or nothing to do with the woman’s age. I once almost pulled onto the wrong side of a divided highway when I was 21. It was pitch dark, poorly marked, and unfamiliar territory for me. Decades later, I’ve never had an accident or received a citation. It can happen to anyone. Notice that she was driving on the right side of the road, indicating she may have thought she was on a two-lane highway. There is a poorly-designed expressway ramp near my home that is notorious for confusing out-of-towners as to which is the entrance and which is the exit, especially when the lights are out (which they usually are, these days).
  
  The truth is that elderly drivers account for a small fraction of all accidents, and they are usually minor ones. Young people are far more likely to speed, drive recklessly, drive under the influence or sleep-deprived, and drive distracted by cell phones and other occupants. That’s why their insurance rates are so high and so many more of them are killed in accidents every year.
  
  Report this comment
- rolla020980
  Posted on March 10, 2012 at 1:46pm
  I completely agree with retesting. I would do an annual 5-10 question quick test with a full driving exam every 10. It has nothing to do with age. We require testing at 16, then never again. Have the laws changed since I got my license? You bet they did. Imagine someone who got their license 50 years ago. It is a whole new world now.
  
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RoAdFiXeR
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:29pm
What ever happen to serve and protect….This Trooper knew there was a driver going in the wrong direction and he’s got her right in front of him and he lets her drive right on by?????…what the hell…if that was a person aiming a gun at him they would be dead….whats the difference sacrifice a patrol car and stop this person…I’m sure theirs a group of parents that wish he applied his car as he would his gun.

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- applehill
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:55pm
  65+65= 130 MPH… that’s how fast the impact would have been. So what should the officer do? Did you think he should have run in front of her. The same crash that killed those girls would have killed him too.
  
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- Walkabout
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:56pm
  What do you propose?
  
  Should the trooper aim for a head on collision, an offset collision or try to hit the drive side rear quarter panel area & spin them out.
  
  Assuming the the trooper does one of those 3 things, what happens if that “planned collision” results in a multi-car pile up?
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:02pm
  applehill
  
  So we would have a dead cop & a dead wrong way driver plus potentially how many more due to a possible pile up?
  
  Do we give cops kamikaze pay?
  
  Report this comment
- BDtheCD
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:03pm
  My god! What an idiot you are.
  
  Report this comment
- RoAdFiXeR
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:42pm
  65 + stopped in her lane = a dam hard hit but crown vic’s + seat belt + vest + airbag + the officer knows it coming = say taking a 45 to the chest = survivable….remember the “protect” part that’s what he signed up for….
  
  Report this comment
- lorikeet
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:16pm
  @Roadfixer – and had the story gone this way “Trooper runs 69 year old woman off the road and kills her.” The trooper would have been arrested for recklessness and the state sued. Besides he could have knocked the car into other lanes causing more injuries or deaths. 20 seconds to make a decision. What a stupid comment Roadfixer. Tragic accident, but sounds as though it was unavoidable.
  
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- Ishmot2
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:38pm
  Apply brakes and turn right in front of the oncoming car, that’s what he should have done!
  
  Report this comment
- plaso20
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 8:53pm
  Roadfixer, you sir are a moron!
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 9:26pm
  Applehill.
  
  My 6:02 PM comments were meant to say that I agree with you & disagree with Roadfixer.
  
  Report this comment
- RoAdFiXeR
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:15am
  lorikeet…. that’s it that’s the best you got….how about he stops granny and five young ladies are on a beach getting a tan….
  
  plaso20 must be a lib when reason fails start with name calling ….
  
  Report this comment
- Catherine A.
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 12:26am
  It’s very easy to say what you would do after you’ve watched the video and had time to develop an response. The officer had seconds to respond, in the dark, at high speeds. This was a no-win situation, and anyone who actually thinks this is the officer’s fault is an idiot. I don’t usually call people names, but seriously, Roadfixer, you are an idiot, and clearly have zero experience as a state trooper.
  
  Report this comment
- kle57
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 1:02am
  What an idiot comment!! The trooper turned around but the crash happened before he could get there. Your blind hate for law enforcement is fogging your common sense if you ever had any.
  
  Report this comment
- Vathomz
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 2:19am
  Wow never have a heard such a moronic response. I really truly believe that if you were that state trooper you would have done the same thing and not what you are saying he should have done.
  
  Report this comment
- Abraham Young
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:30am
  You are serious aren’t you? An officer should pull in front of a 65 mph automobile?
  
  Let’s see you volunteer for that line of duty.
  
  Report this comment
ET43
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:32pm
Go figure, Jonathon M. Seidl messing up, yes another story. This guy is a JOKE! The driver was, as many stated, a female. Not a male as the caption states. I can see why one would be confused of her gender by her photo, but common…

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South Philly Boy
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:10pm
Very Very Sad… Those poor girls

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Captain Crunch
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:07pm
Then need to build spikes into exit ramps which will puncture tires if someone goes the wrong way on a ramp.

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- copey99
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:51pm
  Wrong way signs and general direction traffic signs arent enough?
  
  Report this comment
- greenherring
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:22pm
  Obviously not!
  
  Report this comment
- Sparky101
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:36pm
  Not a horrible idea (usually drunks anyway).
  
  I know it is too late for these young women, but at night I never venture out into the left lane while going up an incline or around a corner for which my vision is blocked by traffic, buildings, etc.
  
  A long time ago, I learned that drunks that get going down the wrong side of a 4 lane highway, will ride in what they think is the “slow” lane (there is nobody for them to pass). In effect, they are in your passing lane (what some call the “fast” lane), coming head-on at anyone who is foolish enough to be out there. You must pass slower traffic at night with care, even when it’s supposed to be your lane. If you are on a hill, and can’t see the other side – don’t pass until you can see oncoming traffic and can determine that lane is clear. If you don’t, you may join these ladies and many more. Teach this trick to your children please.
  
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- Patriot Rider
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:42pm
  The spikes are the best idea because people in this world can’t seem to do 2 simple things, that is READ and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. So one way and wrong way signs are NOT enough.
  My prayers to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.
  
  Report this comment
- copey99
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:42pm
  While i find it tragic just, because someone not pay attention does something dumb doesnt mean we need to go over board. Can you say gun control? What is your stance on that?
  
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- dontbotherme
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:51pm
  Captain Crunch: That is a great idea. The spikes would help stop incidents such as this in the future.
  
  Report this comment
- Abraham Young
  Posted on March 9, 2012 at 9:32am
  Right, we should spare no expense to prevent John Q Public from acting stupidly.
  
  Report this comment
Falcon67
Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:21pm
My thoughts and prayers are with their families. Poor, poor kids. May they rest in peace. My God, what a tragedy. God forbid.

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- Ookspay
  Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:09pm
  This is a parents worst nightmare. Incidents like this should remind us all to treasure every second with those we love. Never be petty or take a single breath for granted, lest we forget how fragile we are.
  
  Report this comment

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